The Fraunhofer Project Center, part of the faculty of ET and located in the Horst, has now entered a new phase of its journey. With the support and endorsement from the University of Twente and the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, we will continue the existing collaboration as the Fraunhofer Innovation Platform for Advanced Manufacturing at the University of Twente (FIP-AM@UT).
Five years ago, Professor Fred van Houten initiated a partnership between the University of Twente and the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT, one institute belonging to the German Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, Europe's leading organization for applied research. The aim was to bridge the gap between research and development processes and applying the resulting ideas to create market-ready production solutions. By 2017, the Fraunhofer Project Center at the University of Twente was realised and opened its doors. Since then, we have increasingly been working on developing solutions with and for the manufacturing industry.
Continuing the vision of Professor van Houten, the Fraunhofer Project Center has now entered a new phase of its journey. With the support and endorsement from the University of Twente and Fraunhofer, we will continue the existing collaboration as the Fraunhofer Innovation Platform for Advanced Manufacturing at the University of Twente (FIP-AM@UT). This change in name does not mean any directional changes to our core activities. Rather, we will expand on groundwork already laid, working towards further/wider industrial collaborations, enabling an ecosystem comprised of multifaceted industrial organisations and guiding some of the brightest and best minds in engineering.
If the lessons of the past two years have taught us anything, it is imperative that we future-proof our industries, by adding value to the products we create and by implementing improvements in the way our people work. In streamlining processes and creating smarter workplaces, we not only positively impact upon the lives of the people of our community, but we also positively impact upon the industries we serve. Leaner, more efficient and better prepared to confront a future full of possibilities, we are helping our partners and customers achieve a solid platform from which to advance.
We are looking forward to moving to our new location at Kennispark, across from the University, in early 2023. This move will bring to life our industrial shopfloor demonstrator; a fully connected, open-access manufacturing environment. This facility will enable us to further enhance our research and development work and help companies experience the impact of changes to their manufacturing processes. We are excited about the very real potential to offer tangible solutions across our broad portfolio of competences.
It promises to be a very exciting journey. We hope you will join us!
Prof. dr. Ian Gibson (director) and Dipl.-Ing. Maurice Herben (director)
